Dating mormon standard

And unlike Origins and Affirmation, the LDS Church's website is not about rationalizing same-sex behavior. As a practicing Mormon and weekly churchgoer, Markle understands his position may be controversial for many in the church and that he may face excommunication or disfellowship for his involvement in Origins -- as advocating homosexual relationships may be grounds for expulsion from the church.

However, it is not unexpected, as advocacy groups of this ilk are of the "give them an inch, they'll take a mile" school of thought. Markle was recently disfellowed from the church for getting involved in a relationship, which he could be excommunicated for.

Frustrated with the church's decision to call same-gender relationships "attractions," Markle stated that the church "still has a long way to go in regard to full inclusion" and repairing the damage done by decades of forcing LGBTQ members into the closet. Despite disapproval from the leadership, Markle's other churchgoers were like a family to him.

They were welcoming of his orientation -- and treated his new relationship just like any other.

Created by Andrew Markle, "Origins" seeks to give gay Mormons an online social network to meet others like them for "marriage or long-term commitment." According to Markle, the website will act both as a tool for dating and as a resource for LGBTQ Mormons looking for acceptance within a church that's still evolving on its stance on homosexuality.

And yet, asking our homosexual brothers & sisters to be celibate will be interpreted by many of them as quite the opposite of love and understanding. Homosexuality is just one, not that common, temptation. This advocacy rides on the impetus of the civil rights movement.

I'm not pretending to have the answer and I realize that Markle's stated goal of marriage goes against the counsel of church leadership.

That said, maybe a social network of like minded individuals wanting to stay in the church while being open about their sexual orientation, is something that is needed.

Markle realizes that the mission of Origins, which helps LGBTQ singles connect for the purposes of a relationship, diverges with the church's new stance on homosexuality -- which is of the "love the sinner, hate the sin" variety. So not only is the website specifically designed to facilitate excommunicable behavior, its creator has been disfellowshipped.

For Markle, Origins will act as a further step in the right direction for gay Mormons -- moving from preliminary dialogue to a place of action. Something tells me that this website is not going to go over well amongst the active set of Latter-day Saints.